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Suárez ban 'unfair' says Uruguay FA president Valdes

Wilmar Valdes criticised Fifa's decision to ban Uruguay striker Luis Suarez from world football for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Wilmar Valdes, president of the Uruguay Football Association, has criticised FIFA's decision to ban Uruguay striker Luis Suarez from world football for four months.

Suarez will miss the remainder of the World Cup after being found guilty of biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 1-0 win that sent Uruguay through the knockout stages.

The Liverpool man will be suspended for nine international matches, as well as the first nine games of the Premier League season and three Champions League ties.

It is the third time the 27-year-old has bitten an opponent in his career, but Valdes believes FIFA's treatment of Uruguay's talisman is "unfair" and he has asked for the nation to be treated the same as everyone else.

"Officially it is a tough punishment for Luis Suarez," he said. "We think that it is a totally exaggerated decision given the proof that existed. There wasn't any proof when FIFA presented it to us, there wasn't any truly convincing proof to hand out such a harsh punishment, this is the reality.

He added: "Uruguay isn't asking for privileges, but nor are we asking to be let down. What we are really asking for is that everybody gets treated the same."

"As a governor of football across the world they should assure this. We have seen games that are more aggressive, or similar incidents, they have not treated in this way."

Valdes also said that the Uruguayan Football Association have entered an appeal against the ban.

While Suarez has been globally condemned for the bite, there has been almost complete support from Uruguayan players and fans alike.

Although there appears to be clear photo and video evidence of the incident, the Uruguayan press launched an attack on the British and Italian media, claiming that teeth marks on Chiellini's shoulder were photoshopped.

The South Americans' delight at advancing from the so-called 'Group of Death' to the knockout stages was short-lived. Now, providing the appeal is unsuccessful, they must face the reality of a tough tie against Columbia in the Round of 16 without their talisman.

Jack Green

I'm Jack, an English Literature graduate from London, trained in journalism at the Press Association. I'm passionate about European football, particularly the Premier League and La Liga. I also love watching and writing about basketball, American football and boxing.